53. Pegasus; movie review

PEGASUS
Cert TBA
98 mins
BBFC advice: TBA

Apparently, one of the most respected voices for the Chinese youth is a fella called Han Han.
He is a prolific author, film-maker and.... he has won a national rally championship.
So, what is his contribution to the Chinese New Year cinema releases? Directing a comedy-drama about the sport in which he used to star.
Pegasus alights upon a former champion, Zhang Chi (Shen Teng) who emerges from a five-year suspension with an unlikely bid to reclaim his crown.
However, time hasn't been kind and he has no car and no money.
This is not going to thwart his ambition and he sets about linking up with people from his past - some who are receptive to his new goal and some who are not.
Yin Zheng plays his former co-driver who takes little persuasion to leave a dead-end job to try to rekindle their glorious past.
Meanwhile, Huang Jingyu is the new champion who, interestingly, is drawn as a decent chap who genuinely wants the former hero to be at his best for the race.
Having often sat among Chinese audiences, I know that many a giggle will be prompted by Pegasus, particularly by the way in which Zhang Chi tries forlornly to raise funds.
But there is also a great slice of pathos, culminating in a very surprising finale.
I can't recall ever seeing a movie about rallying and I was shocked at the ratio of how little the drivers and co-drivers earn against the risks they take.
Its driving scenes are particularly well choreographed and I presume they will appeal to fans of cars and speed (I am not one).
Meanwhile, I was rather taken with the battle in adversity of a flawed hero and was interested that Han Han avoided creating stereotypical villains who would usually be associated with this type of movie.
Pegasus will probably not cause a box office stir but if you get around to it, you will almost certainly laugh and it may even elicit a tear.

Reasons to watch: Funny, pacy and a rare film about rallying
Reasons to avoid: Not all the gags will resonate outside of Chinese audiences

Laughs: A few chuckles for me
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Director Han Han won the Chinese Rally Championship in 2012. He paid for his entry into the sport through his success as a writer.

The final word. Han Han on the growth of Chinese box office takings: "If or when China will overtake North America — I don't think it's very important. Because it's a very normal thing. We have many more people and cities, and entertainment consumption is growing. What's more important is when China will be able to export its (culture) to the world. This is important. In this respect, we are still behind Japan and South Korea." Hollywood Reporter

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